Good Start for 2011 #5

Clean up your Desktop

Ever notice how things pile up and when you really want something, you can't find it with out a lot of searching, moving piles, or checking in several files? If this happens to you it's time to clean up your desktop. Your computer's Desktop!

Every new computer has a desktop filled with little icons of Internet sites the manufacturer assumed you would want to be involved in. Many people never use these—and they never take them off the desktop. These are only shortcuts, and if you delete them, you aren't deleting the program, those are still in the Program or App file, but now you more easily see the icons you do use.

Now think of what you need to get to quickly: you WIP, your research, your household accounts...and so on. These are what should be on your desktop in their own little shortcut folders. No scrolling through the "My Documents" to find your WIP (was it in My Page Manager?) or checking the desktop/documents and settings/administrator/, no clicking through many lists to find that last research note you gathered online that might be buried in that hard-to-find Temporary download file.

Right click on the desktop, hit "new" and make a folder. Or go to your WIP folder, right click it and make a shortcut you can then move to your desktop. To be certain you don't lose track of documents, start them in the folder you want to keep them in. Open the folder, THEN click "new." That way when you save it, it automatically stays in that folder. If you download afrom the Internet, save the item to your desktop, and then file it later in the folder or your choice.

What programs do you use the most? I have two graphics programs that I use at least three or four times each day. I've added shortcuts to them in the "Start" bar so I don't have to click start and scroll along the program files to find them. I have a desktop folder named "work" that isn't a shortcut. But the shortcuts are within it. I open "Work" and then have instant access to my current projects, which are in other locations and folders (such as Kindle books, Nook books, Covers, or Blog Articles). Once I've completed a project, I delete the shortcut from the WORK file.

These same principles can be applied to your Internet browser. Be certain your "home page" is something you really use, and not just the generic Yahoo, Google or MSN start page. It could be your local newspaper, a weather channel or the social networking site you maintain or frequent most often. Cleaning up the folders in the bookmark or favorite tab can be helpful, and again, get rid of those generic links you don't use. They waste space and your time.

These might seem like nitpicky considerations, but when you do them, your priorities become more evident, and the organization will carry over into your writing life.